TESTARE project

The specific objectives and quantified targets (impact compared to initial situation) are:

O1: To enhance the quality of and increase the R&I output of the DegradationLab (UCY) by strengthening its capabilities in human resources and advanced PV metrology. Through specialized training, experts’ visits, knowhow exchange, infrastructure sharing, the pursuit of joint PhD programs /joint R&D industrial initiatives, as well as the implementation of a high-level exploratory research project in the field, an excellence-driven research team can be achieved at DegradationLab enabling high-calibre work to take place as well as key research outputs to benefit all partners. (Targets: At least 30% increase of peer-review publications and conference proceedings and at least 20% increase in citations for the DegradationLab).
O2: To strengthen significantly the reputation, attractiveness and networking capabilities of DegradationLab (UCY) by introducing it to key players and institutions (academic and industrial) allowing for the participation in scientific consortia for high-quality R&I proposals and projects. The collaboration of DegradationLab with top institutions such as IMEC, Fraunhofer and BGU will outdoubtably improve its profile visibility and reputation whilst offering networking and collaboration benefit to all partners. (Targets: At least two new collaborations of DegradationLab with key academic, research, and industrial players exhibiting concrete joint work by the end of the project (e.g. joint proposals, joint projects, published work); At least 3 international conferences in the field attended by DegradationLab.)
O3: To boost participation and success rate in research funding in the field submitted by the DegradationLab as coordinator and/or as partner. This will be achieved through enhancing the R&I capacity of the DegradationLab towards high-quality work in the field as well as its international visibility via targeted networking. (Targets: At least 25% increase in participation in submitting national/international funding bids; At least 25% increase in the successful national and international funding bids involving the DegradationLab.)
O4: To have long-term ties and infrastructure-sharing between partners that will benefit all. This will contribute to enriching for many years to come the scientific knowledge and academic excellence of UCY in the relevant field. It is envisioned that the partnership will have mutual benefits and will lead among others to long-term knowledge exchange, joint research and funding opportunities, high rate of exchange of highly qualified staff as well as infrastructure-sharing. (Targets: create framework and joint scientific strategy for sustainable collaboration ((e.g. future joint projects/PhD, etc.), long-term flow of research exchanges, and infrastructure sharing between UCY and IMEC, Fraunhofer, BGU.)
O5: To contribute to bridging the gap between academia-industry in Cyprus and beyond through building collaboration links between DegradationLab and businesses/industry. TESTARE will provide the opportunity to learn from best practices by IMEC, Fraunhofer, BGU experts on collaborating with business and industry, on building research services for industry to meet international standards, on offering professional/accredited research services (e.g. IEC 17025) and on generating effectively joint R&D projects. The project will support the Cypriot industry in developing more knowledge-based values and strategy which can have a positive impact on the overall R&I potential and innovation performance indicators of Cyprus. (Targets: At least two collaboration agreements with industry and SMEs (Cypriot/abroad) reflected by a number of enterprises participating in R&D or funding proposals with DegradationLab.)
O6: To strengthen the links to the MENA (Middle East North Africa) countries by taking advantage of the project coordination/support activities in Israel (PhD scientific school, inter-comparison testing, etc.) as well as the geographical position of Cyprus itself and the strong existing links of UCY with MENA. In addition, with the participation of BGU, DegradationLab will be facilitated to create links with relevant Israeli industry and academia. This will benefit not only DegradationLab but also the leading partners by gaining access/links to new markets. (Targets: At least two international research proposals submitted by the end of the project to include partners from MENA countries.)
O7: To strengthen the research management and administrative skills of UCY. This will help re-enforce the R&I potential of UCY, on one hand creating a better and more viable ecosystem for the UCY research community and on the other hand enabling UCY researchers to take effectively more ambitious steps in new R&I opportunities even taking over consortium leadership roles. (Targets: Direct/Indirect training of key UCY personnel involved in research management/administration towards improving the R&I institutional capacity of UCY; A set of concrete recommendations for upgrading research management/administration at UCY to be conveyed to the relevant units/Offices of UCY (Research Support unit, Innovation Management Unit, and Research Development Office)).

TESTARE / Objectives

List of milestones

MS1.1

MS1.2

MS1.3

MS2.1

MS2.2

MS3.1

MS3.2

MS3.3

MS4.1

MS4.2

MS5.1

MS5.2

MS6.1

MS7.1

MS8.1